Seoul -- Critics are calling it the biggest-ever indie sleeper in Korea. Lee Chung-ryoul's "Old Partner," a low-budget documentary about the friendship between an 80-year-old farmer and his 40-year-old ox, has broken out of the art house and is now sharing multiplex billing alongside the likes of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "Marley & Me."
The $134,500 film, which was featured at this year's Sundance Film Festival, opened quietly in seven arthouse theaters here in mid-January. Less than a month later, the film was screening in 100 nationwide theaters including major multiplex cinemas.
"Partner" topped most movie reservation sites here over the weekend, breaking a documentary boxoffice record by attracting more than 1 million filmgoers. It also became the first independent film ever to top the weekday boxoffice, according to the Korean Film Council.
"The fact the film depicts a family drama and nostalgia appealed to a lot of local audiences who...
The $134,500 film, which was featured at this year's Sundance Film Festival, opened quietly in seven arthouse theaters here in mid-January. Less than a month later, the film was screening in 100 nationwide theaters including major multiplex cinemas.
"Partner" topped most movie reservation sites here over the weekend, breaking a documentary boxoffice record by attracting more than 1 million filmgoers. It also became the first independent film ever to top the weekday boxoffice, according to the Korean Film Council.
"The fact the film depicts a family drama and nostalgia appealed to a lot of local audiences who...
- 2/23/2009
- by By Soomee Park
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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